Mets' Francisco Alvarez 'feeling better' after leaving game with back spasms

An already difficult weekend for the Mets may have just got even tougher.

Francisco Alvarez left Friday’s 8-4 loss against the Milwaukee Brewers with back spasms after sliding into third base in the seventh inning.

As Alvarez went to the ground he grabbed his backside and fell over. He appeared to be in significant pain and needed to be helped off the field by a trainer. Luis Torrens replaced Alvarez behind the plate in the bottom half of the inning.

Despite how bad it looked, Alvarez said he was feeling better after the game.

"I feel better, feel a little tight," he said. "We'll see tomorrow how I feel and if I can play tomorrow."

Francisco Alvarez has departed from tonight's Mets game in the 7th inning with an apparent back injury pic.twitter.com/gmmICy9pBl

— SNY (@SNYtv) September 28, 2024

The 22-year-old catcher said he felt his back tighten up before he went down to slide - something he had never experienced before.

"It was my first time feeling something like that," Alvarez said. "That's why I was feeling scared. But right now, I feel good."

While the injury may not be as bad as it looked - Alvarez said he would not need an MRI - back injuries could be tricky, especially for a catcher.

Francisco Lindor, who returned Friday night, had missed eight games with a back injury. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said they have options in Port St. Lucie should they need to carry an extra catcher.

Mendoza did sound encouraged by how Alvarez was responding to immediate treatment.

"When he first came out it didn’t look too good," Mendoza said. "The past 30 minutes he's walking around, looking better. We’ll see where he’s at tomorrow."

Alvarez had been swinging a hot bat lately, going 5-for-his-last-18 with three home runs and seven RBI in his last seven games.

Alvarez was at the center of attention earlier in the game on Friday when he vehemently began arguing a poor strike three call with the home plate umpire before Mendoza intervened. Mendoza was ejected from the game.